Randy Orton and Tiffany Stratton secured their places in the upcoming Elimination Chamber matches, headlining a compelling episode of WWE SmackDown on . The event, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw both wrestlers emerge victorious in qualifying matches, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown on in Chicago.
Stratton kicked off the night by defeating Chelsea Green and Lash Legend in a triple threat match. The victory marked a return to form for the former WWE Women’s Champion, who reversed Green’s “un-pretty-her” maneuver and finished with her signature “PME” to claim the spot. This win positions Stratton to challenge for a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42, though Liv Morgan, the winner of the Women’s Royal Rumble, has yet to declare which champion she will pursue.
The main event of the evening featured a hard-fought battle between Orton, Solo Sikoa and Aleister Black. Orton ultimately prevailed, earning his tenth qualification for the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. The finish saw Sikoa attempt a Samoan Spike, only for Orton to expertly counter with his signature RKO, securing the victory. Orton’s path to the Chamber wasn’t without intrigue, as Sikoa entered the match searching for the mysterious MFTs, which remained elusive throughout the contest.
The stakes are high for the Men’s Elimination Chamber, as the winner will earn a shot at Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. However, McIntyre’s road to WrestleMania has been complicated by the actions of Cody Rhodes. Rhodes launched a surprise attack on the WWE Champion at the start of SmackDown, continuing a feud that began after McIntyre inadvertently cost Rhodes an opportunity to win the 2026 Royal Rumble. Rhodes made it clear he believes McIntyre won’t even make it to “The Showcase of the Immortals,” hinting at further disruptions to the champion’s plans.
Adding to the chaos, Jacob Fatu joined Rhodes in attacking McIntyre, further escalating the tension. The situation underscored Rhodes’s excitement over Roman Reigns’ decision to face CM Punk at WrestleMania 42, a pairing that clears the path for Rhodes to challenge McIntyre.
Elsewhere on SmackDown, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY successfully defended their Women’s Tag Team Titles against Giulia and Kiana James. This victory maintains their reign as champions and adds another layer of competition to the women’s division. The win came amidst a flurry of other developments, including a preview of upcoming qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber.
Looking ahead, Monday’s Raw will feature a women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match with Rhea Ripley already confirmed as a participant, though her opponents remain to be announced. Next week’s SmackDown promises further action, with Cody Rhodes set to battle Sami Zayn and Jacob Fatu for a spot in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, and Alexa Bliss, Zelina, and Giulia competing in a women’s qualifier.
The events of SmackDown have significantly reshaped the landscape of WWE, setting the stage for a dramatic lead-up to Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 42. Orton and Stratton’s victories, coupled with the intensifying rivalry between Rhodes and McIntyre, promise a compelling few weeks for WWE fans.
